Digital TV Set-top Box Prices - will you pay more?

Sounds like we need to see who the members of NAMEC are, to see who will benefit from the mooted change to ISDB-T, vs the incumbents making DVB-T(2) equipment.

Apart from anything else, I'm pretty sure that the costs will be greater than those mentioned here, since those are simply component costs that do not take into account the investment in NRE (non-recoverable engineering) to design something that works in our specific (bastardized, 8MHz) environment.
 
What is really upsetting about this governemnt's lack of leadership on this issue is that countries like Ghana are way ahead of South Africa in Digital Terestrial Broadcasting. South Africa is supposed to be the Power House of Africa - the technological leader? It boils down to having the wrong minister for the job. What does the present minister know about communications? This issue needs to be cleared up very soon. Ghana should be complete with their digital migration by 2012. South Africa is looking very stupid at the moment.
 
I pay TV license so I should be entitled for a free STB.
 
Business Report
A body representing black electronic components producers has threatened to halt the digital migration process if it is not allocated half of the decoder manufacturing value chain.
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The National Association of Manufacturers in Electronics Components (Namec), which was launched last week (first week 12/2009), has threatened to embark on what it described as an "economic revolt" should it not be allocated half the job. This includes manufacturing, distribution, installation and testing.
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Namec is also supported by the National Union of Mineworkers and the Communication Workers Union.
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NAMEC homepage. List of big wigs.
 
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so how does one go about getting this type of corruption and its repecussions known to the masses?
 
Digital freeview boxes UK

Digital freeview boxes in the UK are 15 pounds and 7 Pounds for the USB version for your pc
 
I'll stick with my TopTV STB thanx. Also why pay nearly R700 when you can get @minumum a dstv decoder for like R400 and R210 a year viewing rights to TV.
 
Whether we are behind the rest of Africa or not is of no concern to Gov. I doubt very much that it has ever been of much concern to them. Their first priority has always been to enrich their "comrades" as they have (in my view) indicated on many occasions. Gov policy on preferred placing for their "comrades" is proof of this, whether it is good for the country or not, appears to have little to do with it. No doubt the spindoctors will come out in force to substantiate their decision to yet again do in the SA public.

If only we had a leader with some backbone who was willing to fight for the good of our country.
 
Nod said:
Business Report




NAMEC homepage. List of big wigs.
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Even though I'm in favour of BEE these guys appear to be a bunch of oppertunists who are only in it because there are billions of taxpayers money at stake, of which they obviously want a share. I've never heard of any of these clowns before they started making noise towards the end of last year, and my guess is that they are just proxies for bigwigs in the ANC. I wouldn't be suprised if they were being bankrolled, in part, by the Brazillians and Japanese to lobby government for a change to ISDB-T, how else does one explain this about-change. Sickening really.

If government does go ahead with the adoption of ISDB-T, South Africa's future digital standards might be decided by the courts.
 
acidb said:
I just say we move straight to DVB-T2, it'll be better in the long run.
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To me that sounds logical, as there are genuine benefits from using DVB-T2 over DVB-T. However, that may also necessitate expensive hardware upgrades/replacement on the broadcaster's side, which have already been paid for.
 
I hope they switch over to some bizarre (or any) digital broadcast technology so I can cancel my TV License. I don't need one then because my TV can only tune into analog broadcasts, besides, who needs broadcasts if you have uncapped ;)
 
Kosmik said:
I'll stick with my TopTV STB thanx. Also why pay nearly R700 when you can get @minumum a dstv decoder for like R400 and R210 a year viewing rights to TV.
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@Kosmik:
Except that DTT is H.264 at 5 Mbps (IIRC) at standard def., versus 2 Mbps MPEG2 for DSTV standard def. Since H.264 can give you the same visual quality at half the data rate of MPEG2, the DTT picture quality will be *much* better than minimum DSTV. I, for one, find the SD DSTV quality to be unacceptable.
 
fvdbergh said:
@Kosmik:
Except that DTT is H.264 at 5 Mbps (IIRC) at standard def., versus 2 Mbps MPEG2 for DSTV standard def. Since H.264 can give you the same visual quality at half the data rate of MPEG2, the DTT picture quality will be *much* better than minimum DSTV. I, for one, find the SD DSTV quality to be unacceptable.
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If your poor enough that you can only afford the government STB are you really gonna care about possible HD ramifications?
 
Kosmik said:
If your poor enough that you can only afford the government STB are you really gonna care about possible HD ramifications?
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But this is exactly my point (read my post carefully): Comparing DSTV standard def to DTT (STB) standard def, the DTT theoretically wins by a mile (several, actually) in terms of image quality.

Only DSTV HD uses H.264, so if you are stuck on SD, then DTT will look better than minimal DSTV.
 
fvdbergh said:
But this is exactly my point (read my post carefully): Comparing DSTV standard def to DTT (STB) standard def, the DTT theoretically wins by a mile (several, actually) in terms of image quality.

Only DSTV HD uses H.264, so if you are stuck on SD, then DTT will look better than minimal DSTV.
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Your not getting the point. Poor people do not care about the quality of the STB. If they are told you need this to watch TV they will buy it. Most of those folks have been using UHF/VHF attenae their whole lives with ghosting and snow. They'll take a lower image quality over cost any day.
 
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